Studies on the fungal diseases in crustaceans. I. Lagenidum scyllae sp. nov. isolated from cultivated ova and larvae of the mangrove crab (Scylla serrata)

Lagenidium scyllae , a marine mastigomycete from the ova and larvae of the mangrove crab, is described and illustrated as new. The fungus grew at a temperature range of 16-42 C, with an optimum at 22.5-31.8 C. It grew well in peptone-yeast-glucose (PYG) broth containing 2-3% NaCl. In PYG-sea water medium, it grew at a pH range of 5-11.

Fishery of mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forskal) from Karwar waters

Catch data of Scylla serrata obtained in different gears from Karwar region during December 1983 — November 1984 indicated a sum of 9608 kg of landings of crabs. Majority of the crabs (89.57%) was found to be caught in backwaters by line fishing and cast nets. A considerable (10.43%) quantity of catch was also contributed by gill nets and shore-seines from inshore waters. A maximum of 1207 kg of crabs were landed in December, 1983. The size structure and sex-ratio of S. serrata varied with gear type and period.

Feeding habits of the sesarmid crab Perisesarma bidens (De Haan) in the mangroves of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Feeding habits of the sesarmid crab Perisesarma bidens (De Haan) was investigated in the mangroves of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Stomach content analysis showed that their diet consists mainly of mangrove leaves fragments, with small amounts of animal, algae and sediment matters, indicating that P. bidens is primarily detritivorous. The consumption rate of P. bidens was investigated under laboratory conditions by offering three different types of Kandelia candel mangrove leaves. Crab survived by eating green, yellow or brown leaves, preferring brown to either green or yellow leaves. Consumption rate of brown leaves was significantly higher when crabs were provided with green, yellow and brown leaves together, than when provided separately. It is considered that the brown leaves have a soft tissue, which is easily torn by the crab chelae and have apparently low C/N ratio. The C/N ratio of faeces, which indicated lower value than that of burrow leaves or sediments, derived from the symbiosis of bacteria in the stomach. The C/N ratio showed that sediments had C/N ratios 2/3 times lower than leaves sequestered in the burrow, indicating that mangrove sediments could have higher nutritional value than mangrove leaves. Perisesarma bidens showed significant consumption rates of mangrove detritus, therefore, it may have the important role as the grazer of mangrove detritus in view of the nutrient cycle in the mangroves.

Investigation on reproduction process in two species of crab, Eriphia sebana and Ocypode saratan in the intertidal zone of Chabahar area

The present study with headline investigation on reproduction in two species of crab Eriphia sebana and Ocypode saratan was carried out in the intertidal zone of Chabahar in thirteen month from December 2004 to December 2005. Checked samplings have been taken, 45 number Crab monthly from any four stations by manual or use trap. During this study the following subjects were measured: temperature range and salinity, measurable coast granule, determination of sex ratio, relations carapace width with carapace length, Carapace width with total body weight, Gonad weight, gonadosomatic index, condition factor, gastrosomatic index, investigation content in stomach, LM50, growth parameters, plenty distribution length and width and gonad weight and total body weight. Studied on measurable coast granule were expressed that Ocypode saratan in Desalination station, were nest in soils equable sand and this quantity were confirmed in Pozm station. Sex ratio were assign in desalination area and Pozm M: F 0/44:0/56 and in Tiss and Chabahar M:F 0/45:0/55. Carapace length and carapace width (cm) and body weight (g) Furthest were designated in Ocypode saratan within carapace width sequential: In female: 5/42-6/15-105/13 and in male: 5/53-6/25-108/91 and in Eriphia sebana within Tiss area sequential: in female: 5/12-5/94-110/21 and in male 5/14-60/01-114/37. Have been linear relationship between carapace length and carapace width and equaled CW=aCL+b. Weight growth in two species were be modal and equaled BW=aCLb And increased crab weight by built up carapace width. Maximum gonad weight in Ocypode saratan within Desalination area in female have been outcome 3/39 and in male 0/84g and in Eriphia sebana extreme within Tiss during may in female were be 4/18 and in male 1/1g. Stomach content in Eriphia sebana were involved a black until half-purplish liquid and yellowish in Ocypode saratan. Stomach contents identifiable were being in four groups: Molluscoid, Crustacean, Plankton and Fish. Carapace width during the first year of maturation have been LM50:3/77 in Desalination area and LM50:3/92 in Pozm for Ocypode saratan and LM50:4/26 in Tiss and LM50:4/62 in Chabahar. Ability spawning in Eriphia sebana within Tiss has been CW=4/17cm and in Ocypode saratan within Desalination area CW=4/23cm. Maximun value of Loo for Eriphia sebana was equal 59/67 and growth factor K=0/68 within Tiss and Loo =61/64, K=0/65 for Ocypode saratan within Desalination area. Maximun GSI and GI have been within Desalination area and Tiss and minimum within Pozm and Chabahar. The maturity stages of two species were classifed into six stages. Review on GSI, CF have been showed that relation with temperature and salinity and definer in two species have been spawned in two period that Maximun in spring premier than autumn.

Mud crab hatchery and nursery operations

A brief account is given of mud crab (Scylla spp) farming activities in the Philippines. The expanding market for mud crab is the cause of intensified collection of wild juveniles. To counter the threat to wild population and ensure the sustainability of mud crab farming, there is a need to produce juveniles in hatcheries. Hatchery and nursery operations, and investment costs/returns are outlined.

Pond culture of mud crab (Scylla serrata): an economic analysis

The findings are presented of a study conducted to determine the economic feasibility of the pond culture of mud crab (Scylla serrata) at various stocking densities. Investments, costs, and returns are given for a 1 ha crab monoculture at 4 stocking densities - 5000, 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000. Results show that mud crab monoculture in brackishwater ponds is economically feasible at stocking densities of 5000/ha and 10,000/ha.

Wetlands and riparian zones as buffers and critical habitats for biotic communities in Lake Victoria

Despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, Lake Victoria's adjoining "swamps" and lake interface are among the least investigated parts of the lake. The "swamps" a term commonly equated to "wastelands" and the difficult working environment they present in comparison to open water, are major factors for the low level of attention accorded to shoreline wetlands. Moreover, definitions of wetlands highlighted for example in the Ramsar Convention as "areas of marsh, fern, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh or brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which does not exceed six metres" (Ramsar, 1971) were designed to protect birds (water fowl) of international importance. The Ramsar definition, which also includes oceans, has till recently been of limited use for Lake Victoria, because itdoes not fully recognise wetlands in relation to other public concerns such as water quality, biodiversity and the tisheries that are of higher socioeconomic priority than waterfowl. Prior to 1992, fishery research on Lake Victoria included studies of inshore shallow habitats of the lake without specific reference to distance or the type of vegetation at the shore. Results of these studies also conveniently relied heavily on trawl and gill net data from the 5-10 m depth zones as the defining boundary of shallow inshore habitats. In Lake Victoria, such a depth range can be at least one kilometre from the lake interface and by the 10m depth contour, habitats are in the sub-littoral range. Findings from these studies could thus not be used to make direct inferences on the then assumed importance of Lake Victoria wetlands in general.